ALBANY, N.Y. (WKBW) — As New York begins to raise the minimum wage to $15 per hour statewide, Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D-NY) says minimum wage workers in Western New York will see an increase by the new year.
Starting Dec. 31, the minimum wage in Western New York will increase to $11.80 per hour, from $11.10 per hour.
In addition, Gov. Cuomo says the minimum wage will continue to rise for Western New Yorkers, increasing to $12.50 per hour by the end of 2020.
"New York is leading the fight for economic justice, proudly setting a national example by raising the minimum wage to $15," Gov. Cuomo said. "Nearly three years after we set New York on a path to achieve a $15 minimum wage, we are seeing the benefits: record low unemployment rates, fewer people living in poverty, less people working multiple part-time jobs and more families given the opportunity to live a decent life. In New York we believe in a fair day's pay for a fair day's work, and we won't stop fighting until every hardworking New Yorker is paid the fair wages they deserve."
This comes following a statewide report indicating increases in private sector jobs and household income, along with maintaining low unemployment.
As for when Western New York will see a minimum wage increase to $15, Cuomo did not set a specific date, while saying it will be up to the Director of the Division of Budget and the New York State Department of Labor.
